Aromatherapy Secrets
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Aromatherapy is a way to complement the treatment of some medical conditions in a natural and holistic way without introducing chemicals and drugs into the body. It involves using essential oils and aromatic essences of plants via the air or topically (trough a massage or lotion) to treat a person’s discomfort. When a person senses or smells certain things it evokes a specific reaction from excitement to relaxation, depending on the odor. However aromatherapy is much more powerful than that.
What most people delving into aromatherapy do not realize is the potency of the essential oils. They are concentrated plant extracts, which are able to be absorbed trough the skin, but more importantly to pass trough the blood-brain barrier.
They hold the vital force of the plants they are made of and have many chemical constituents (more than 100 in some). These can be used for healing.
Other than the potential for allergic reactions in some individuals, using aromatherapy has been shown to be both effective and safe, when used approprietly. You can find more about the safety aspect, when using aromatherapy in one of my next blogs.
The oils when applied topically would start working 30 seconds into their application, however it takes about 20 minutes for them to be fully absorbed into the body.
Our circulatory system is so fast that the oils are quickly circulated around the body to the places that most need the healing. Any excess oils are excreted from the body trough the urine. So the body takes only what it needs.
However, because the oils are so concentrated, they are best used diluted into a carrier or base oil (as some call it).
The only once that can be used neat on the skin (with caution) are:
Lavender* - on burns or spots;
Tea Tree* - It acts as a powerful antibiotic. Can be used neat on the wrist to bring cold and flu bugs down quickly;
Lemon* - on warts and verrucae. Use a cotton bud and be careful of the surrounding area. This is a photosensitive oil, so after use, do not expose yourself to the sun, as you are risking sunburn.
Clove* - can be used neat for toothache, bit not on the gums.
A few important points to remember, when buying essential oils.
- Therapeutic grade essential oils are NOT REGULATED. Just because it says "100% pure essential oil", does not mean that it is true. The bottle can contain as little as 1% essential oil and manufacturers can still label it as 100%!! I know that is strange, but unfortunately true.
- Only ORGANIC* essential oils can be trusted to some extent, as at least you will be sure that there are not any nasties in them, like pesticides or herbicides etc.
- Whether used topically, diffused or internally, it is best to buy Organic and Food Grade essential oils*. This way you can really be sure to use the safest and purest oils.
- Internal use of essential oils. Please Never Ever do this on your own accord. This practice is mostly popular in France, but even there it is practiced by very experienced clinicians. Do not listen to essential oil distributors, that convince you it is safe to do so, even though they have never been trained in aromatherapy and very often their oils are not even Food grade.
The essential oil you use will depend on the issue you want to treat. The best way to be sure if you’re using the right combinations is to seek out a certified aroma therapy specialist who has been trained to provide the right guidance.
I wish you health and radiance!
Please note that we accepts no liability for misuse of essential oils or other products or for any reliance on the information provided by us via our website or other social media channels (see disclaimer page).
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